The leading Sunfoil Series batting averages point to another successful first-class season, but Justin Ontong doesn’t necessarily agree. “I have battled a bit this season,” he said about his performances in the three formats.

“I am very happy with that century against the Sunfoil Dolphins,” said the skipper of the Nashua Cape Cobras. “I am particularly pleased that we won the game. Ontong hammered 166 off 228 balls with 18 boundaries and a six in propelling the Cobras to 597 first-innings runs in the final Sunfoil Series match of the season. It was his equal-highest first-class score of an impressive career. The Dolphins wilted under the onslaught, impressively spearheaded by Beuran Hendricks and Dane Paterson, and the Cobras won by an innings and 117 runs in their Sunfoil Series clash at Pietermaritzburg. “The Dolphins fielded an inexperienced bowling attack on a green surface, and we exploited their inexperience,” he said. Ontong finished the season with 479 runs at an average of 59.87 and was seventh on the list of players with the leading batting averages. The Cobras captain was impressed with the century scored by Justin Kemp. “He used his size to intimidate the opposition. He batted very well and was aggressive,” Ontong said about the blistering 143 hammered by the lanky Kemp off only 150 balls, with 18 fours and six sixes. Ontong also said the old Hendricks is back. The 24-year old swing bowler finished with a match haul of seven for 75. Ontong said he believed Hendricks generated pace and will embark on an Indian Premier League campaign with restored confidence. He said Paterson bowled with aggression, impressive fitness levels and swung the ball both ways through the air, a key factor in his 42 wickets in four-day matches. Paterson finished sixth on the list of national bowling averages and took his wickets at an impressive average of 22.54.

The superb batting performances during the autumn set up the spectacular acceleration by the Nashua Cape Cobras as they leapfrogged the Chevrolet Knights into fourth position on the Sunfoil Series log, said Paul Adams, thrilled Cobras coach.

The Cobras thrashed the Sunfoil Dolphins by an innings and 117 runs in the final Sunfoil Series match of the season and bagged 21.62 points. They finished the season fourth on the four-day domestic log on 87.88 points. It is marginally ahead of the Chevrolet Knights (86.88 points). The bizhub Highveld Lions, with 151.64 points, was crowned Sunfoil Series champions of the 2014/2015-season The rejuvenated Cobras’ thrilling win against the Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg was set up by a massive first-innings score. Justin Ontong (166, 228 balls, 18x4, 1x6) and Justin Kemp (143, 150 balls, 18x4, 6x6) were the major contributors. Matthew Kleinveldt managed 97, while the veteran Andrew Puttick scored 75. They set the foundation for the Ontong-onslaught and the Kemp-pyrotechnics by adding 131 runs for the opening wicket. “We bowled beautifully in the first innings,” said Adams. “Dane (Paterson) was consistent the whole season and he came a long way in all three formats,” he said. “What was impressive is that he possibly finished as the man who bowled the most overs, and also took the most wickets (42 in the Sunfoil Series competition),” added Adams. Beuran Hendricks produced his two best performances of the season in the final two Sunfoil Series matches, added Adams. Hendricks stuck to an off-stump line and finished with a match haul of seven for 75. His four for 42 in 17 overs in the first innings included three top-order victims which set up the Dolphins demise. Adams said Hendricks bowled with good control and pace of around 135 to 140 kilometres per hour, which kept the Dolphins under pressure. “It is important to continue his rebuilding in the off-season following that injury,” he added. The coach said it was not an easy wicket to bat on in Pietermaritzburg, but Ontong found the boundary ropes with some clean striking. “Kemp probably had one of his best four-day batting performances for a while,” he added. The Cobras suffered a four-day slump at the start of the season, and following a demoralizing eight-wicket defeat to the Dolphins at Newlands, the squad assembled and discussed their top-order flaws and the need to address the lack of top- and middle-order partnerships. That frank indaba proved to be a turning point, and the team improved markedly at the back-end of the competition.

Justin Ontong led from the front as the Nashua Cape Cobras put in one of the most dominant days of batting by any team in the current Sunfoil Series campaign to leave the Sunfoil Dolphins reeling at the City Oval.

Ontong finished unbeaten on 150 from 199 balls as the Cobras amassed 440 for four from the day’s 96 overs - despite being asked to bat by the Dolphins.

Such positivity translated into 6.8 batting points on the day, which could go some way to ensuring that last season’s champions avoid the wooden spoon.

While Ontong’s first century of the campaign naturally caught the eye, he will no doubt point to the solid base set up by openers Andrew Puttick and Matthew Kleinveldt, who didn’t take long to get on top of the Dolphins bowlers.

Puttick scored freely, with his 75 in a partnership of 131 coming off just 94 balls, while Kleinveldt applied a more patient touch in stroking 97.

The Dolphins made three major changes to their attack, with Daryn Dupavillon and Matthew Pillans enjoying a much-needed rest, and young pacers Graham Hume and Craig Kirsten coming in to be led by Ryan McLaren, who played his first game since February 10.

The new combination did not work out as hoped, but Keshav Maharaj continued his good form to pick up three of the four wickets that fell.

The left-arm spinner broke the initial stand when he had Puttick caught behind, and later dismissed Kleinveldt and Dane Vilas in the space of four balls.

Although McLaren bowled last week’s double-centurion, Omphile Ramela, for just 14, Kleinveldt and Ontong put on 166 for the third wicket in just 37 overs.

Yet the quickest partnership was still to come, as Ontong and Justin Kemp added 104 runs in the last 22 overs of the day to press home the Cobras’ advantage.

Kemp went to the close unbeaten on 57 from just 67 balls, having hit two sixes and nine fours, meaning that all but nine of his runs came from boundaries.

Continuing their top-order revival, inspiring the leading domestic wicket-taker Dane Paterson to another five-wicket haul, and ensuring the franchise-debutants Matthew Kleinveldt and Mpilo Njoloza get off to a rollicking start, will be part of Mission Pietermaritzburg for Justin Ontong and his Nashua Cape Cobras team.

Ultimately, though, the Cobras would be determined to romp to victory in their final Sunfoil Series clash of the season against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Pietermaritziburg to ensure they don’t receive the wooden-spoon award by occupying the bottom-of-the-log spot.

Stiaan van Zyl, national player of the Cobras, is nursing a thigh strain. He won’t make the trip to Pietermaritzburg for the four-day match against the Dolphins, starting on Thursday.

He will be replaced by Kleinveldt.

Kleinveldt managed 669 runs in the Sunfoil 3-Day Cup at an average of 44.60, with a century and six half-centuries in the 2014/2015-campaign while opening the innings for Western Province.

The 25-year old Njoloza finished with a match-haul of eight for 92 in powering Western Province to a seven-wicket win against KwaZulu Natal-Inland in their final league match.

If the fast bowler can repeat that performance, he might just set up a Cobras-win.

The Cobras have rung the changes for their final four-day match of the season. George F Linde gets another call-up as left-arm spinner, while Robin Peterson is rested.

The national off-spinner Dane Piedt is also part of the squad.

Piedt suffered a serious shoulder injury in September that needed surgery in October. He has not made a return to top-form yet.

It will be an important clash for Paterson on his old stomping ground. He will be keen to add to his 35 wickets in order to stay ahead of the rest of the chasing pack.

Rowan Richards of The Unlimited Titans is hot on his heels, having taken 34 wickets with three five-wicket hauls.

Paterson has been a revelation this season with his lion-hearted efforts.

The Cobras will require their senior stalwarts like Andrew Puttick, Dane Vilas, Justin Kemp and the skipper, Ontong, to produce excellent batting performances in support of the new star, Omphile Ramela.

Ramela would be keen to retain his momentum following his momentous batting performances against the Chevrolet Warriors and the Titans.

THE Nashua Cape Cobras will have their eyes on a couple of individual milestones - not to mention the goal of avoiding the Sunfoil Series wooden spoon - when they travel to the City Oval to meet the Sunfoil Dolphins on Thursday.

Whilst avoiding last place is an obvious aim for last season’s champions, who are currently just more than a point behind the fifth-placed Warriors, there are some more positive targets on the radar as well.

“There’s still something to gain out of this competition - Dane Paterson is right up there with the leading wicket-takers and we’d like to make sure he finishes top of the wicket tally, and Omphile (Ramela) is up there with the leading run-scorers and it would be a great achievement to finish in the top three,” said captain Justin Ontong.

Paterson is currently top of the charts alongside Andrew Birch with 35 wickets, while Ramela is third on the run-scoring table with 710 runs at an average of 50 after his double-ton last week.

The pair’s contributions have allowed the Cobras to run the game over the past two weeks, but that has not translated into a second victory in the campaign.

“We’ve controlled the last two games but the results haven’t shown that,” said Ontong. “It’s important for us as a team to go there and finish well, because if we manage that then it won’t have been a bad season given our accomplishments in the limited overs formats.”

Senior players Robin Peterson and Rory Kleinveldt are set to be rested for the final game, which will allow some less established players such as Kleinveldt’s cousin, Matthew, and left-arm spinner George Linde to get a game.

Defeat to the Lions last week ended the Dolphins’ chances of outright success in the competition, but they will be determined not to lose second place to the Titans, who currently trail them by 12 points.

Coach Lance Klusener indicated that there could be changes to the bowling department, who have endured a heavy workload with six games in the space of six weeks.

From a batsman with a moderate average of 29 to the Iron Man of the Nashua Cape Cobras who grafted for more than 1000 minutes in two innings to strike consecutive centuries – this has been the near-miraculous transformation of Omphile Ramela.

Ramela said he gained enormous confidence from his 129 in 411 minutes against the Chevrolet Warriors on his 27th birthday, which was also his maiden Sunfoil Series century. That self-belief was evident in his maiden Sunfoil Series double century, an undefeated 202 in 605 minutes with 27 fours and two sixes, against The Unlimited Titans during the weekend’s four-day clash against The Unlimited Titans in Benoni. The high-scoring match ended in the inevitable draw. Ramela’s contribution steered the Cobras to 484. The Titans hammered 421 for three in reply, highlighted by an unbeaten 208 off 277 balls by the South African opening batsman Dean Elgar. “Ompile displayed enormous discipline and maturity during his knock,” said Henry Davids, the Titans captain. Asked if the Titans did anything to upset his focus, Davids said: “Perhaps an odd word, but you can hardly say something if you are playing on a slow surface. “Omphile was undeterred, though. He cut well, did not drive much and showed so much patience,” he added. “I hope Omphile will reflect on the building blocks of his double century, and on the things that he did so excellently, and repeat this,” said Justin Ontong, the Nashua Cape Cobras captain. Ramela said he won’t become complacent and would like to extend his form into the final game of the season. “Obviously, it is about playing the situation and on applying your defensive and attacking mind-set to the game,” he added. Asked if he used a special diet or fitness regime that helped him to retain his level of focus and concentration against the Warriors and the Titans, Omphile said: “No, just the basic level of fitness that is required for a professional sportsman.” Ramela again hailed the contribution of the other senior batsmen in the Cobras-team who gave him invaluable tips prior to his maiden century against the Warriors and the Titans. He added that his innings against the Warriors and the Titans were built on the formula of waiting for the attack to stray and to force them into errors by utilizing the patience game ruthlessly. The stylish left-hander gained instant fame during his 54 in the final of the Ram Slam T20 Challenge against the Chevrolet Knights which proved to be the turning point of that match. The Cobras won by 33 runs and Ramela was named man of the match for his sensational effort. Now, the Soweto-born cricketer has shown that he is not only a limited-format specialist, but that he can ply his trade expertly in the four-day format.

In a candid SWOT-analysis of his own Weaknesses, Strengths, Opportunities and Strengths, Beuran Hendricks admitted that a lack of consistency and patience undermined his efficiency as fast bowler since his return from a career-threatening injury.

The 24-year old left-arm swing bowler performed memorably in 2014 and the first part of 2014, capturing 11 for 63 for South Africa A against India A, and subsequently took 28 wickets in the Ram Slam T20 Competition for the Nashua Cape Cobras. So impressive was his performance that he was promoted to the South African team for the T20 World Cup in 2014. Unfortunately, a long lay-off due to back injury put his 2014/2015-season temporarily on hold. Hendricks said he spoke to the Nashua Cape Cobras coach, Paul Adams, following the match against the Chevrolet Knights in Kimberley and admitted that he needed more remedial work in order to be ready for first-class action. The hard work he did with the fitness trainer Dieter Swanepoel and the physiotherapist Shane Jabaar were not in vain. Hendricks bowled with greater venom and consistency in taking two for 69 in the Sunfoil Series match against The Unlimited Titans in Benoni during the weekend. The match ended in a draw. Hendricks admitted he was disappointed with the wickets tally by the Cobras in Benoni. “It was a bit of a tough wicket to bowl on, but we let ourselves down. “During the last four cheap wickets that the Titans got, they showed us how to bowl on the wicket. They were attacking. “There was enough in the wicket to put up a fight and to attack. We did not hit our areas consistently enough and attack. We were also not patient enough,” Hendricks lamented in assessing the Sunfoil Series result in Benoni. The run festival finished in a stale-mate, as the Cobras hammered 484 in their first innings. The hosts responded with 421 for three. Hendricks said he was too impatient when he played for South Africa A following his return from injury. He was also inconsistent. Following a disappointing South Africa A series against the England Lions, he took pressure off himself and realized that he needed to improve the consistency of his length. He also admitted he tried to force things, attempting miracle deliveries or wicket-taking balls too much, instead of applying pressure for prolonged periods, like he did against India A when he captured 11 for 63. Hendricks said he wanted to finish the season strongly and work meticulously on fitness, strength and bowling skills. “I’m looking forward to the Sunfoil Series match in Pietermaritzburg,” he added. If Hendricks can emulate his performance of the 2013/2014-season, when he removed nine batsmen for 75 runs in propelling the Cobras to victory in Pietermaritzburg, the Cape champions could finish their season with a bang.

“The guys showed grit and determination and grinded well as a unit. I am impressed at the partnerships in compiling 484,” said Paul Adams, the Nashua Cape Cobras coach, in assessing the Sunfoil Series draw against The Unlimited Titans in the Cobras’ penultimate four-day match of the season.

Adams was particularly impressed by Omphile Ramela’s second consecutive century in franchise cricket. Ramela struck an unbeaten 202 in 605 minutes of amazing focus, faced 403 balls and hammered 27 fours and two sixes. In the previous Sunfoil Series match, against the Chevrolet Warriors, Ramela contributed 129 in 411 minutes. Adams, as well as the skipper, Justin Ontong, said the left-hander played with more self-assuredness in his knock in Benoni, and his judgement was superb. “It was a good wicket to bat on. There was not much in it for the spinners and seam bowlers,” said the coach. “Beuran bowled wel, while Rory Kleinveldt was very consistent. “We struggled to get leg-before-wicket shouts, as it was a slow wicket, and the nicks did not even carry to the slips or the wicket-keeper,” said Adams. In assessing the four-day performances by the bottom-of-the-log Cobras, Adams admitted the team suffered due to injuries to Rory Kleinveldt, Beuran Hendricks, Justin Kemp and Dane Piedt as well as the absence due to South Africa A-commitment of Justin Ontong and Stiaan van Zyl. The Cobras are always assessing the ability of players who perform well at semi-professional level in order to secure a bigger pool of competition, he added. To be frank, though, the players who were given an opportunity in the 2014/2015-season, did not grab the opportunities to put pressure on incumbents. Many of the franchise-debutants struggled to make the step up, and consequently, the Cobras suffered early defeats against the bizhub Highveld Lions and the Chevrolet Warriors. The top-order struggles became a malaise in the four-day campaign before the Cobras resurrected their batting in the last two Sunfoil Series matches against the Warriors at the Newlands cricket ground and The Unlimited Titans. Asked about the team for the final match of the season, against the Sunfoil Dolphins in Pietermaritzburg, Adams said he will replace the mildly concussed Richard Levi and offer a few chances to new players.

DEAN ELGAR converted his big hundred into a double and shared an entertaining stand with Graeme van Buuren, before the rain arrived to cut short the final day and confirm The Unlimited Titans’ stalemate against the Nashua Cape Cobras at Sahara Willowmoore Park.

Elgar went into the last day unbeaten on 159, and moved to 208 with a slew of boundaries before he was forced to retire hurt after nearly seven and a half hours at the crease.

Just eight more overs were possible thereafter before heavy rain stopped play with the Titans on 421 for three - still trailing the Cobras’ first innings total by 63 runs.

The players were unable to return to the field before mid-afternoon, when it was confirmed that the match had been drawn.

The result was a disappointment for both sides, with the Titans’ hopes of finishing second now looking unlikely and the Cobras still stuck in the race for the wooden spoon.

The draw always looked to be the likeliest outcome, but there was some entertainment to be had on the final day.

Theunis de Bruyn added just four runs to his overnight total of 56 before he was dismissed by Beuran Hendricks, and after taking two overs to resettle, Elgar and Van Buuren launched spectacularly as they added 86 runs in 10 overs.

Elgar’s departure slowed things down again, but Van Buuren was able to end unbeaten on 56 from just 67 deliveries.